Burmese Defense Lawyers Harassed

Press Release: Terry Evans

7 November 2008

Lawyers defending Burma's detained political activists face continued intimidation from the country’s unelected military junta.

According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), there are currently 13 lawyers defending pro-democracy activists in Burmese courts. However, the Burmese regime seems intent on preventing dissidents from receiving fair trials.

This week a lawyer representing members of the 88 Generation Students group was prevented from attending a court hearing at Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison. The lawyer was supposed to appear at a hearing to defend 14 members of the 88 Generation Students group, but he was denied permission to enter the courtroom.

A number of other lawyers representing detained pro-democracy activists have faced various forms of obstruction, including arrest, since October.

ENDS

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